Puget Sound Sailors: I just finished my boat recommissioned after having trucked it up from SF Bay (next time I will sail!). Next weekend I want to go for an two-day cruise (one day out, one day back) somewhere in Puget Sound area but have no clue what would be reachable and be a good destination. I am thinking about 40-60 miles max distance, starting from Bainbridge Island. Whidbey Island, Port Townsend, Hood Canal, or somewhere south? I've never been north of Point No Point or south of Blake Island. I think I'm going to miss the SF Bay winds... Suggestions please!
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What do you prefer?
Town with marina, restarants? Town with anchor out? Anchor in isolation? State marine park? There are many choices.
Town with marina, restarants? Town with anchor out? Anchor in isolation? State marine park? There are many choices.
Port Orchard
If you are going anywhere go to Port Orchard. The Hunter group is meeting there on Sat. It's a great town with lots to do. Sorry that we will miss it this year.
If you are going anywhere go to Port Orchard. The Hunter group is meeting there on Sat. It's a great town with lots to do. Sorry that we will miss it this year.
Port Towsend or...
Pt. Townsend is great if you like a dock; there's lots to do in town there and it's a nice sail. If an anchorage is what you have in mind condier Port Ludlow. Go past the marina, to the end of the bay and tuck in behind the 'twins.' If you've got some draft plan on sneaking back there and out near high tide. Geat little anchorage, very quiet, for no more than 5-8 boats max.
Pt. Townsend is great if you like a dock; there's lots to do in town there and it's a nice sail. If an anchorage is what you have in mind condier Port Ludlow. Go past the marina, to the end of the bay and tuck in behind the 'twins.' If you've got some draft plan on sneaking back there and out near high tide. Geat little anchorage, very quiet, for no more than 5-8 boats max.
Always Check the Tides!
Planning for a weekend sail in Pudget Sound? Keep your options open. One plan for Southerlies, another for Northerlies, and both contingent on the tides (currents). Let's see, a check of the tides for the weekend of 21 and 22 April (tides tides are for clam diggers) reveal a moderate swing of 8.3 feet on Saturday. At Bush Point across from Marrowstone Island the current ebbs 2.8 knots Saturday morning from 4:30 AM till noon. To go north you should try to reach Foul Weather Bluff by noon. From there go to Port Ludlow or if that isn't far enough through the cannal (check bridge clearance) west of Indian Island and then to Port Townsend. Be careful anchoring at Port Townsend (PT) as the tide causes the boat to swing there and the kelp on a steep sloping bottom doesn't help with setting the anchor. A plow anchor would be preferred. Leave PT or Port Ludlow about noon on Sunday and ride the 1.9 knot flood back home. PT has ferry wakes unless you're in the marina. With a later start Saturday try for Quartermaster Harbor and return via Covos Passage (current always sets north). Port Orchard and Poulsbo are nice but there are smaller channels to go through. A slightly bigger plow anchor is required in Poulsbo or you'll drag. Hood Cannal: If you have to have the bridge open you have to call ahead. Typical winds are northerly north of Edmonds and Southerly south of Edmons. And Welcome Aboard!
Planning for a weekend sail in Pudget Sound? Keep your options open. One plan for Southerlies, another for Northerlies, and both contingent on the tides (currents). Let's see, a check of the tides for the weekend of 21 and 22 April (tides tides are for clam diggers) reveal a moderate swing of 8.3 feet on Saturday. At Bush Point across from Marrowstone Island the current ebbs 2.8 knots Saturday morning from 4:30 AM till noon. To go north you should try to reach Foul Weather Bluff by noon. From there go to Port Ludlow or if that isn't far enough through the cannal (check bridge clearance) west of Indian Island and then to Port Townsend. Be careful anchoring at Port Townsend (PT) as the tide causes the boat to swing there and the kelp on a steep sloping bottom doesn't help with setting the anchor. A plow anchor would be preferred. Leave PT or Port Ludlow about noon on Sunday and ride the 1.9 knot flood back home. PT has ferry wakes unless you're in the marina. With a later start Saturday try for Quartermaster Harbor and return via Covos Passage (current always sets north). Port Orchard and Poulsbo are nice but there are smaller channels to go through. A slightly bigger plow anchor is required in Poulsbo or you'll drag. Hood Cannal: If you have to have the bridge open you have to call ahead. Typical winds are northerly north of Edmonds and Southerly south of Edmons. And Welcome Aboard!
San Juans and Gulf Islands!!
Since you are new to the best sailing in the world (did you know that this area is rated number 10 for charter boats throughout the world?) you need to go to your nearest West Marine and get the series of Gunkholing the San Juans, Gulf Islands, etc. as well as a good current chart and tide table as the stuff runs wild around here!! A good sales rep should help you if he (or she) has any knowledge of the area and own a boat! I have been sailing these water since l975, and this year we plan a trip to Desolation Sound and beyond-first time for us!! Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor Marina) is about the best one on the island. And in your range for cruising. If you are really interested in cruising, you should think of joining a yacht club. Anacortes Yacht Club is about the best out there as most of the members are real boaters! Dues are cheap, and we have recipical agreements with about every club in the northwest. Members travel from as far as Montana to sail here-and have their boats in the Anacortes area for a quick get-away into the San Juans. Take a look at their site (go to google and type in Anacortes Yacht Club) to see all the stuff we are doing this year. If you need any further into, don't hesitate to contact me. Presently I have a Cape Dory 28 that my wife and I cruise on-although we also own a ODay Mariner, etc. etc. etc. Our e-mail address is bcave@whidbey.net. Ken Cave
Since you are new to the best sailing in the world (did you know that this area is rated number 10 for charter boats throughout the world?) you need to go to your nearest West Marine and get the series of Gunkholing the San Juans, Gulf Islands, etc. as well as a good current chart and tide table as the stuff runs wild around here!! A good sales rep should help you if he (or she) has any knowledge of the area and own a boat! I have been sailing these water since l975, and this year we plan a trip to Desolation Sound and beyond-first time for us!! Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor Marina) is about the best one on the island. And in your range for cruising. If you are really interested in cruising, you should think of joining a yacht club. Anacortes Yacht Club is about the best out there as most of the members are real boaters! Dues are cheap, and we have recipical agreements with about every club in the northwest. Members travel from as far as Montana to sail here-and have their boats in the Anacortes area for a quick get-away into the San Juans. Take a look at their site (go to google and type in Anacortes Yacht Club) to see all the stuff we are doing this year. If you need any further into, don't hesitate to contact me. Presently I have a Cape Dory 28 that my wife and I cruise on-although we also own a ODay Mariner, etc. etc. etc. Our e-mail address is bcave@whidbey.net. Ken Cave
Thanks for Cruising Suggestions
I guess I will be shopping at West Marine for the cruising notes book before I make my final decision. The suggestion of one destination north and one south dependent on winds is smart. Sounds like I’m going to have to make sure I find enough days this summer to be able to enjoy the destinations available. Hope my boss won’t miss me too much. Phil – Thanks - Anchoring in Pt. Ludlow sounds appropriate for the first night out. Ken: Will be looking at the YC. Bill of Everett – can you get me on the mailing list for the Hunter group? yodaveyo@hotmail.com
I guess I will be shopping at West Marine for the cruising notes book before I make my final decision. The suggestion of one destination north and one south dependent on winds is smart. Sounds like I’m going to have to make sure I find enough days this summer to be able to enjoy the destinations available. Hope my boss won’t miss me too much. Phil – Thanks - Anchoring in Pt. Ludlow sounds appropriate for the first night out. Ken: Will be looking at the YC. Bill of Everett – can you get me on the mailing list for the Hunter group? yodaveyo@hotmail.com
sailing UP?
I don't know what type of boat you have, but sailing North from SF is no picnic, I can assure you! Chances are you'll have motored most of the way, into constant headwinds and currents. I haven't done it from SF, just from Newport, Oregon, but it is a long, ugly bash most of the time. Thank God for semi's! If you go back to California, the trip South can be a great sail.
I don't know what type of boat you have, but sailing North from SF is no picnic, I can assure you! Chances are you'll have motored most of the way, into constant headwinds and currents. I haven't done it from SF, just from Newport, Oregon, but it is a long, ugly bash most of the time. Thank God for semi's! If you go back to California, the trip South can be a great sail.
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